Medical Underwriting : An interesting... - Pernicious Anaemi...

Pernicious Anaemia Society

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Medical Underwriting

GGourmet profile image
15 Replies

An interesting point of conversation perhaps.

I have just been advised that my non specific B12 deficiency which has been successfully treated will attract a 50% premium weighting for Critical Illness Cover over the next 10 years and 100% for life over the same period.

I’m thinking-

What do medical underwriters know about our condition that our GPs are not telling us, for these weighting’s to be so high?

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GGourmet profile image
GGourmet
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15 Replies
wedgewood profile image
wedgewood

I can’t wait to know what facts- and surely they must be facts, that can possibly be based on.

GGourmet profile image
GGourmet in reply to wedgewood

Me too.

DRunnerchick profile image
DRunnerchick in reply to GGourmet

What I’m trying to say is that the most recent research points that B12d over time is eventually proven to be caused be an absorption based disease- either an AI (PA, Crohns, etc) all of which bring friends and lead to high morbidity, and for them liability.

DRunnerchick profile image
DRunnerchick

Idk but B12 is required in proper blood “balance” and when a patient is anemic, it IS one of the first things that is looked for (the others being iron, folate, vit D , with TSH for the hormonal axis to boot). The B12 is sensitive for gut disease though if you aren’t absorbing it as in most 1st world nations, diet is adequate.

Just a few thoughts 💭 🤔

GGourmet profile image
GGourmet in reply to DRunnerchick

Appreciated however this is for someone who has been successfully treated and now with ‘normal’ bloods.

wedgewood profile image
wedgewood in reply to GGourmet

it would be interesting to hear fbirders comments on this .

fbirder profile image
fbirder in reply to wedgewood

To be honest, I don't understand most of this thread.

GGourmet profile image
GGourmet in reply to fbirder

I wasn’t sure how many would do went for brevity over detail.

To protect myself again critical illnesses or death, whichever happens first in the next 10 years, I pay a premium of £285/month on what is called standard terms which means nothing out of the ordinary for the age of the person.

At underwriting they assess if I am far away from ordinary to require an increase in the monthly premium because they are taking on extra risk.

In this case they felt that my B12 deficiency despite successful treatment meant that cover for a critical illness could cost me 50% more and for death in that period would be 100% more. This is a significant increase in perceived risk. In the past, I had no weighting’s for just death.

I hope that gives the detailed structure to explain my point.

fbirder profile image
fbirder in reply to GGourmet

Ah! Insurance!

I would look elsewhere.

Nackapan profile image
Nackapan in reply to GGourmet

I agree they knowhow complex it becomes. How many visits wi be needed.

Perhsis they shoukd infirm Gps!

GGourmet profile image
GGourmet

Thanks for your replies.

When I’m past end of tax year, I’ll think I’ll put the whose case through and see what final underwriting says. This is preliminary underwriting which is there to give a steer on what final underwriting are likely to say, to save wasting time.

wedgewood profile image
wedgewood in reply to GGourmet

well when ever I’ve seen anything written about health risks for people with P.A. , it’s stated that as long as they are treated correctly , there is no health risk at all . They have no lowered life -expectancy . Vegans would not declare their diet on such a document, and they would be at risk if they did not supplement with B12 .,

Cherylclaire profile image
CherylclaireForum Support

How strange .On the other hand, I seem to remember (it's been a while) that holiday/travel insurance companies are largely unconcerned unless you have balance issues. Probably worried that you'd topple over like Sally Skittle - not what you'd want on a skiing holiday - or cruise !

GGourmet profile image
GGourmet in reply to Cherylclaire

Yes, I’ve spent yesterday going through travel insurance. Their point of concern is about ongoing nerve damage and that’s about it.

Cherylclaire profile image
CherylclaireForum Support in reply to GGourmet

...... slackers !

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